The Patriotic Front (PF) has threatened to ‘sort out’ Chanda Chimba III over his television programme “Stand Up for Zambia” which is aired on the national broadcaster ZNBC.

And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the recent acts of violence among MMD and PF cadres in Lusaka.

PF vice president Guy Scot said the party is saddened by Mr. Chimba’s continued attacks on its party president Michael Sata which he said is meant to discredit him.

Mr. Scot said at a press conference in Lusaka today that was also attended by party cadres and leaders that the party will sort out Mr. Chimba for his attacks.

He has, however, expressed displeasure with the courts entering a nolle prosequi against two Chinese managers at Collum Coal Mine in Sinazongwe who allegedly shot at some mine workers last year.
Mr. Scot argued that it was not right that the case was discontinued for lack of evidence when the workers were purely shot at and injured.

And PF Secretary General Wynter Kabimba has condemned the violence by his cadres saying that the party does not condone any form of violence from its members.

He said the party wants to be a peaceful political party which will attract and accommodate everyone with positive ideas.

Mr. Kabimba has meanwhile stated that his party will fight back against any attacks from the MMD.

“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.

He has also stated that the party will implicate government and the MMD over any harm that will befall its president following reports of planned of abductions.

Mr. Kabimba has also condemned hate speeches by some organization against its leader Michael Sata.

He said there is need to stop this act as it has resulted in fights in other countries.

[pullquote]“If PF members are provoked by the MMD cadres as was the case in the Kamwala incident they have the right to defend themselves against such thuggery and we have sufficient numbers to execute such a campaign successfully,” he said.[/pullquote]

Meanwhile, Former UNIP Secretary General Reverend Alfred Banda has announced his resignation from the former ruling party to join the PF.

Rev. Banda who resigned from UNIP and was heading a UNIP revival forum announced his resignation together with MMD Kabwata constituency Secretary Emmanuel Chanda at the press briefing in Lusaka today.

He said he decided to resign because he feels the PF is the only progressive political party.

ZANIS

Labour and Social Security Deputy Minister Simon Kachimba says people elected as union leaders should not use their positions to frustrate investors and those in management.

Mr. Kachimba says union leaders should contribute to the growth of their companies and ensure productivity continues.

He added that dialogue should be the direction which unions must take as opposed to work stoppages.

ZANIS reports that Mr. Kachimba, who was speaking to union representative at Lafarge Plc in Chilanga yesterday, said when the company makes losses and decides to start retrenching workers, union leaders will have no one to blame but themselves.

He said the role of unions should be part of management and contribute to the
efficient running of companies.

Mr. Kachimba said government’s role is that of coming in as a mediator when management and workers fail to reach a conclusion.

He also appealed to management to sensitize workers on reasons why it has decided to retrench
workers.

Mr. Kachimba said government is aware that management has laid out plans to reduce the work force at Lafarge and it is important that workers are prepared adequately for the exercise.

He said although government is discouraging the practice, if certain factors are contributing then it has no problem.

The labour deputy minister also commended Lafarge plc for having taking safety of workers as a priority.

He said it was gratifying that the company has been recognized internationally for its safety standards.

And Company Managing director Fola Esan thanked the minister for having found time to visit the plant and discuss with the workers’ representatives.

He said it was pleasing that the company has managed to create a good working relationship with government.

Mr. Esan said the company is also happy with the investment climate it is enjoying saying Larfage has continued to enjoy conducting its business and is doing fine in the country.

He said management will ensure that it addresses some of the labour issues that have arisen so that the workers’ morale does not affect productivity.

Mr. Esan explained that the plan to retrench some workers started last year with the Ndola plant where the company has since downsized the workforce.

He said factors such as modern machinery and technology which the company is using in its production does not require more people as it is now self automated.

Mr. Esan also said the company has decided to downsize the number of casuals and other supporting staff whose work can still be carried out by other workers in order to make the company more efficient and productive.

He disclosed that not more than 70 workers will be retrenched by April this year.

ZANIS

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Be devoted to one another in love…”
(Romans 12:10, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Think about the people God has placed in your life. They’re not there by accident. God brings people to you for a purpose. We should live with this awareness that, “I am here to add value to people. I am here to help them succeed.” Don’t go around always thinking, “I wonder what that person can do for me. I wonder what they have to offer.” No, we should have the attitude, “What can I do for them? How can I help them come up higher? Can I teach them something I know? Can I connect them with someone who can help them?” Don’t make the mistake of going through life ingrown. Instead, be a dream releaser. Use your talent, your influence and your experience, not just to accomplish your goals, but to help release a dream in someone else.

Remember, there is nothing more rewarding than to lay down at night knowing that you helped someone else become better. You not only fulfilled your purpose for that day, you did your best. It may have just been a two-minute phone call where you encouraged someone; but when you live as a dream releaser, you’ll see your own dreams come alive as well!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, thank You for equipping me to be a blessing to others. Show me ways to be a dream releaser and help others to rise up higher. Help me to use my influence to encourage others and honor You always. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Proprietor of the Zambia – Botswana coach services Willie Nsanda has warned the MMD party cadres against trying to cause confusion at bus stations by claiming ownership.
Mr. Nsanda says markets and Bus station should be free from political interference because they service the public and not political parties.

Mr.Nsanda also noted that the MMD government should ensure that their political cadres are stopped from causing commotion at the bus station adding that business owners will not allow cadres to disturb their businesses.

He added that should the government fail to intervene in the matter the business owners will do whatever it takes to protect their investments.

Recently, MMD cadres in Lusaka announced that they had taken charge of the bus station in the city so as to restore sanity.
[ QFM ]

The Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) says it will continue with its delimitation process despite the constitution of Zambia bill failing to pass through the second reading in Parliament.

ECZ Public Relation Manager, Chris Akufuna says the ECZ will continue sitting as a delimitation commission to review constituency boundaries but will not effect an increase in the number of constituencies.

“Following the failure of the constitution of Zambia bill to go through the second reading in parliament as require by article 79 of the constitution, the electoral commission of Zambia wishes to inform the public that it will continue sitting as a delimitations commission to review constituency boundaries with effecting an increase in the number of constituencies,” he said.

He stated that the commission will also continue receiving submissions on the numbers of constituencies in the remaining districts in order to have a complete database for future use.

Mr. Akufuna said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today.

He explained that the delimitations sittings were made to collect information on how stakeholders wanted to have the number of constituencies increased from the current 150 to 225.

Mr. Akufuna said the programme for the delimitation sittings in the rest of the provinces still remain the same.

He has since advised the public to prepare their submissions in readiness for the sitting.

ECZ has so far sat in Lusaka, North Western, Copperbelt, and Central provinces.

ZANIS

Speaking when he launched the facilities at the newly constructed Chongwe District Hospital today, President Banda said more than 8.7 million Zambians across the country will benefit from the newly launched mobile hospitals.

Mr. Banda said the MMD government is determined to continue improving the health sector in the country for the benefit all Zambians.

ZANIS reports that the President stressed that the mobile hospitals will play a vital role in reducing maternal mortality rates in the country as health services will be brought closer to the people even in areas not easily accessible to people.

He noted that health services in the country are provided in two modes which include static health posts, clinics and general hospitals as well as mobile hospitals.

He said the two modes complement each other in the health delivery.

Mr. Banda said government has constructed hospitals, health posts, and health centers across the country for the benefit of the people.

The President further said that government is constructing 125 more health posts across the country in addition to building more District Hospitals in all the 9 provinces of Zambia.

He named the District hospitals constructed by government as Chongwe, Chadiza, Chama, Chavuma and Chiengi district hospitals.

He said others are Samfya, Lufwanyama, Lumwana, Lundazi, Namwala, and Serenje to mention but a few.

President Banda said that government was optimistic that by 2016 there will be District hospitals in all the 73 districts of Zambia.

President Banda also said government was constructing A general hospitalS in Choma and Lusaka.

He disclosed that the new Lusaka General Hospital will be officially opened by May this year.

Mr. Banda hailed the Chinese government for the assistance being rendered to Zambia including the purchase of mobile hospitals.

He stated that the new mobile hospitals will be supplied to all 9 provinces of Zambia.

The equipment consists of X-ray, laboratory, dispensary unit, power and water units and living quarter unit and the out patients department.

He disclosed that in each mobile hospital which will be supplied to provinces, there will be four Chinese Doctors to assist the local medical personal especially in Surgical, maternity and nursing.

President Banda also stated that government has procured 17 Marin Clinics and 12 Boats to be used in areas which are only accessible by water such as in Western and Luapula provinces.

And President Banda has said government intends to open a second school of medicine in Ndola in a bid to improve human resources in the health sector.

And speaking at the same event, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Quingmin said the mobile hospitals will go a long way in uplifting people’s lives in rural areas.

Mr. Li said President Banda should be appreciated for his initiative to purchase mobile hospitals.

He said China will not relent in partnering with the Zambian government especially in the health sector.

He stated that the bilateral relations between the two countries which he said dates back to many years should continue for the benefit of the two country nations.

[ ZANIS ]

Business at Senama market in Mansa District came to a halt last evening when a pregnant woman stripped naked in the market shelter after she was accused of stealing a Fifty Thousand Kwacha by her fellow trader.

The woman decided to strip naked after she failed to convince her accuser that she had not stolen the money.

The duo was selling vegetables at the market when they picked up a quarrel after one of them lost a K 50,000 and accused her friend of stealing the money.

ZANIS reports that after a prolonged argument, the woman who accused her counterpart of having stolen the money demanded that her friend produces all the money she had so that she could identify her K 50, 000 note.

It was at this point that the accused woman decided to strip naked in the full view of people who had gone to watch them argue and those that went to buy assorted items.

She told ZANIS that she stripped naked to show her accuser that she did not steal her money.

One of the on lookers who sort anonymity said it was shameful for a woman to resort to stripping naked in presence of men and children at the market.

She said it was unjustifiable for the accused woman to remove all her clothes in public even if she was pressurized by her friend.

Meanwhile, other women expressed displeasure at the event but condemned the woman who had accused the other of stealing the money for not listening to her friend’s explanation.

They said it would be more important for the women in question to settle their wrangles at the police station than reaching the extent of stripping naked in public.
[ ZANIS ]

Government has observed that disabled children have been neglected by society including those very close to them like their immediate families.

Community Development and Social Services Permanent Secretary (PS) Sherry Thole says the children have in most cases been discriminated against yet it is not by choice that they are disabled.

ZANIS reports that Ms. Thole said this in a speech read on her behalf by Ministry of Community Development and Social Services Director of Human Resource and Administration Lameck Kanyuka when Children In Need Network (CHIN) donated six wheelchairs to six disabled children at Bwafwano Community Home Based Care Center in Lusaka’s Chazanga area today.

She said it was gratifying that CHIN had committed its resources to helping children with special needs so that their welfare is also improved.

Meanwhile, CHIN Executive Director Samuel Chakamba said the mission of CHIN was to continue upholding the rights of the disabled children across the country.

Dr. Chakamba said his organization would not relent in rendering support to the children with disabilities across the nation to improve their livelihood.

And Bwafwano Community Home Based Care Center Director, Beatrice Chola commended CHIN for the gesture adding that the wheelchairs would go a long way in assisting the children.

Ms. Chola called upon CHIN to continue offering support to children with disabilities across the country and appealed to other organizations to emulate CHIN’s support to disabled children in the country.

ZANIS